kama

If or Like with Kama

Level 2

Kama is a very common, versatile word in Swahili. It has two main jobs: introducing an "if" condition, or comparing things to mean "like" or "as".

How It Works

1. Kama for "If" (Conditionals)
When setting up a condition, kama goes at the very beginning of the "if" clause.

  • Kama una muda... (If you have time...)
  • Kama ungalijua... (If you had known...)

Important Note: While English requires "if", Swahili often relies entirely on verb infixes like -ki- (real conditions), -nge- (present unreal), or -ngali- (past unreal). Using kama alongside these markers adds emphasis but is grammatically optional. However, kama is mandatory when the verb does not carry a conditional marker (like una above); without it, the sentence would just be a simple statement ("You have time"). It also works with negative conditionals like -sipo- or -singe-. Note that in colloquial speech, -nge- is often used for both present and past unreal conditions, but -ngali- is the standard for the past.

2. Kama for "Like" or "As" (Comparisons)
When comparing nouns, actions, or states, kama usually follows the verb or adjective that describes the shared trait.

  • Yeye ni mrefu kama kaka yake. (He is tall like his brother.)

You will also see compound forms like kama vile (such as / just like) and kama kwamba (as if).

3. Kama for "That" (Reported Speech)
Kama is frequently used as a conjunction meaning "that" to introduce reported speech or declarative clauses, often interchangeably with kwamba or kuwa.

  • Alisema kama atakuja. (He said that he will come.)

4. Other Uses
Before numbers or time, kama means "about" or "approximately". Note that kama saa mbili can mean "about 8 o'clock" (time of day) OR "about two hours" (duration), depending on context. It can also mean "whether" in indirect questions.

5. Kama for Roles and Manner
Kama is also used to express a role or capacity, meaning "as" (e.g., working as a teacher). Additionally, it frequently pairs with the manner relative marker -vyo- to mean "as" or "the way that" (e.g., kama nilivyosema - as I said).

As Usual:
Alifika mapema kama kawaida means “He/she arrived early as usual.” Kama kawaida is a common fixed comparison with the normal pattern; it is not an if-clause.

Examples (6)

  1. Kama una muda leo, nitakuja kwenu.

    If you have time today, I will come to your place.

    Word by Word: If you-have time today, I-will-come to-your-place.

    Used at the beginning of the clause to mean 'if'.

  2. Yeye ni mrefu kama kaka yake.

    He is tall like his brother.

    Word by Word: He is tall like brother his.

    Used to compare two people, meaning 'like' or 'as'.

  3. Kama ningalijua mapema, nisingalikubali.

    If I had known earlier, I would not have accepted.

    Word by Word: If I-would-have-known earlier, I-would-not-have-accepted.

    Used with the -ngali- marker for a past unreal condition. Colloquially, you may hear the present unreal -nge- used here instead, but -ngali- is the standard for the past.

  4. Tutafika kama saa mbili asubuhi.

    We will arrive at about 8 o'clock in the morning.

    Word by Word: We-will-arrive about hour two morning.

    Before numbers, kama means 'about'. Note that 'kama saa mbili' can mean 'about 8 o'clock' or 'about two hours' depending on the context.

  5. Sijui kama atakuja.

    I don't know whether he will come.

    Word by Word: I-don't-know whether he-will-come.

    In indirect questions, kama is used to mean 'whether'.

  6. Kama nilivyosema jana, tutaondoka asubuhi.

    As I said yesterday, we will leave in the morning.

    Word by Word: As I-how-said yesterday, we-will-leave morning.

    Kama frequently pairs with the -vyo- relative marker to mean 'as' or 'the way that'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'kama' as the verb 'to like' (enjoy/have affection for).

    Mimi kama maembe.
    Mimi ninapenda maembe.

    Because English uses 'like' for both comparison and affection, learners often use kama when they should use the verb kupenda (to like/love). Kama only means 'like' in the sense of 'similar to'.

  • Using kama with -na- when you mean a plain 'if you come'.

    Different MeaningKama unakuja, nitafurahi.
    Ukija, nitafurahi.

    Kama unakuja, nitafurahi is correct: kama with -na- means 'if you are coming' (a plan already under way). For a plain 'if you come', Swahili often uses the conditional infix -ki- (u-ki-ja = if you come): ukija, nitafurahi.

How It Connects

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kamaLevel 2If or Like with Kama

Learn This First

To use 'kama' effectively, you need to understand how Swahili sentences are structured (SVO) and how verbs are conjugated, as 'kama' often introduces conditional clauses or comparative phrases that rely on these foundational elements.

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kamakama